Le Creuset French Oven

Next to my chef’s knife and cutting board, quite possibly my most used kitchen tool is my 5 1/2 quart Le Creuset French Oven. I’m a big fan of one pot meals; easy clean-up and the slow, long low-heat cooking really blends and melds wonderful flavors together for many dishes. An advantage to a good enameled dutch or french oven over a crock pot is the high heat searing and cooking you can do all in one pan.

A good sear to a roast is critical for a good flavored crust. Further, the ability to saute and onions and other aromatic vegetables before adding stocks and other ingredients to a typical crock pot meal will help develop and layer flavors that otherwise would not be had in a traditional crock pot.

This wonderful piece, given to me by my mom for Christmas a few years ago, sees work in the kitchen at least 2 times a week during the warmer months, and often during fall and winter, it is not uncommon for me to use this 4 to 5 times a week.